Method for lining tunnels, aqueducts, and the like



July 19, 1932. c, JACKSON 1,867,837

METHOD FOR LINING TUNNELS, AQUEDUCTS. AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 10, 1929 fzzzji 1// INVENTOR Patented July 19, 1932 PATENT OFFICE COBWILL JACKSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS METHOD FOR LINING TUNNELS, AQUEDUC'IS, AND THE LIKE Application filed January 10, 1929. Serial No. 331,666.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved method for lining the walls of tunnels, aqueducts and the like which greatly facilitates such work,

resulting in a very uniform lining, that is,

one of substantial uniform density.

Second, to provide a lining for tunnels, aqueducts and the like which is non-porous and of substantially uniform density. Third, to provide a method for lining with concrete which may be economically and rapidly practiced.

Fourth, to provide an apparatus providing an eflicient means for practicing my method.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention w1ll appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

The structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view longitudinally of a tunnel bore on line 1-1 of Fig. 2 illustrating certain steps of my method and certain features of my apparatus, the parts being shown mainly in conventional form.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view illustrating details of the vibrating unit.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the bore of a tunnel, 2 a blower and 3 the hopper of a machine for discharging concrete by air blast. 4 represents the discharge pipe for the machine having flexible sections 5 and 6 therein.

In carrying out my method, I arrange a form 7 within the bore of a tunnel and in spaced relation to the walls thereof, provid- 0 ing a surrounding space 8 to receive the lining material. The form is supported by the spacers 9, the nozzle 10 of the concrete mixture discharging machine being disposed at the top of the form to discharge longitudinally thereof. The concrete mixture is indicated at 11.

On the inside of the form I mount one or more vibrating units 12 consisting of a motor housing having a rotor 13 therem provided with a shaft 14 having an unbalancing weight 15 thereon. This vibrating unit vibrates the form with high frequency vibrations and these vibrations are set up in the concrete mixture surrounding the form.

In carrying out my method, I introduce by means of a blower or other suitable means a concrete mixture consisting of an aggregate, cement and with such an amount of Water as will produce a dry, granular non-flowing concrete mixture. This mixture is preferably introduced at the top of the form and owing to the vibrations set up in the mixture, it is reduced to a semi-fluid or flowing condition and fl'ows around and completely fills the space between the form and the wall to be lined, all voids being eliminated. A dense, non-porous lining results without breaks or holes such as commonly results from methods which have been heretofore em loyed. Further, only the required amount of water is necessary to produce the desired results. And further, the form may be moved in a minimum of time as there is no excess moisture to evaporate or water to escape carrying away cement.

I have illustrated my improvements mainly in conventional form. I have made no attempt to illustrate various adaptations possible as it is believed that this disclosurewill enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The method of lining tunnels, aqueducts and the like consisting of supporting an inner tubular form in spaced relation to the walls of the bore, introducing at the top of the form a dry non-flowing concrete mixture, and simultaneously subjecting the form to high frequency vibrations whereby high frequency vibrations are set up in the concrete mixture and it is converted to a flowing condition in the space surrounding the form and fills such surrounding space.

2. The method of lining tunnels, aqueducts and the like consisting of supporting an inner tubular form in spaced relation to the walls of the bore, introducing a dry non-flowing concrete mixture, and subjecting the form to high frequency vibrations whereby high frequency vibrations are set up in the concrete mixture and it is converted to a flowing condition in the space surrounding the form and fills such surroundin space. Y

3. The method of lining with concrete consisting in supporting a form in spaced relation to the walls to be lined, introducing at the top of the form aconcrete mixture of such water content as to render it non-flowing, and simultaneously subjecting the form to high frequency vibrations thereby producing high frequency vibrations in the mixture and converting it to a flowing condition in the space surrounding the form.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. i

OORWILL JACKSON. 

